The Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced four terrorists to death for their involvement in the deadly attack on Saint Francis Catholic Church, Owo, in Ondo State, which claimed the lives of 43 worshippers.
The convicts: Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza, Al Qasim Idris, Jamiu Abdulmalik and Abdulhaleem Idris, were found guilty on all nine counts brought against them by the prosecution.
Delivering judgment on Wednesday, Justice Emeka Nwite held that the prosecution had successfully proved its case beyond reasonable doubt and consequently sentenced the four defendants to death by hanging.
The court ordered that the convicts be hanged until pronounced dead for their roles in the terrorist attack that shocked the nation and drew widespread condemnation.
In contrast, the fifth defendant, Momoh Otuho Abubakar, was discharged and acquitted of all charges after the court found insufficient evidence linking him to the crimes.
The June 2022 attack on Saint Francis Catholic Church in Owo remains one of Nigeria’s deadliest assaults on a place of worship, leaving dozens dead and several others injured.
The judgment is expected to be viewed as a significant milestone in the quest for justice for the victims and their families, while reinforcing efforts to combat terrorism and violent extremism in Nigeria.
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